"Oh, I can't believe it is as bad as all that. You know Mel - she isn't one to forget what is important to her. But new activities have a way of taking up time, at least initially. She still has eyes for you, if that is your worry." Hedy said, placing the full bowls of tomato bisque on the table, along with a bowl of homemade crackers.
"I'm being silly, aren't I? You can tell me." Ana said, trusting that Hedy would tell her the truth, no matter if it pained her.
"Silly isn't the right word. Maybe just be a little more patient with her. Remember, she is a young woman and though you two look the same in age, you have walked this earth for much longer. Fancies and fads are common with people her age. Just give her the space to learn and grow. That's my advice, for what it is worth." Hedy replied, crushing several crackers into the soup.
"Your advice is always sound, so I will try to heed your words. I just hate to see her pour her energy into something that isn't...good for her." Ana stirred her soup, but had yet to take a bite.
"What makes you think it isn't good for her?"
"She should be focusing on University and her future plans, not waving around a bunch of crystals and chanting. I don't know that I even believe a human can become a witch. Isn’t that something you are born to?" Ana said, still stirring her soup in a clockwise direction.
"Witches are real and among us. Some have it in their blood and some learn the skills through study. Some are good, like Helen, and some not so good. It is dangerous to meddle in things like witchcraft, if you aren't taking it seriously - but Mel is a serious, thoughtful person and I don't worry that she'll do something silly. I do worry that you aren't eating. Humor me and have some soup. We'll check on the group when you are done." Hedy said, and with a small chuckle from Ana, they dined on tomato bisque by the warmth of the potbelly stove.
✽✽✽
The chanting had stopped. Both Ana and Hedy had lingered over their soup, waiting for quiet from the other room. It had come, finally, and as if on cue, they both stood and headed back toward the entry.
Maurice hadn't moved but Zelda now occupied the velvet chair, her head cocked as if she were listening to something. Hedy gave her a puzzled look but the cat didn't seem to notice. Chattering voices were easy to hear in the quiet of the entry - the coven had concluded their circle.
Hedy and Ana stepped into the bakery, lights back on after the circle's work was done. Helen was at the table, gathering up her items and snuffing out candles. Mel and the new girl, Thana, were standing very close together, almost whispering.
"Mel, look who came by." Hedy said, striding over to the pair. Mel pulled back at the sound of Hedy's voice.
"Ana. I didn't know you were coming." Mel said, breaking away from Thana and walking toward the Undine who stood just inside the doorway.
"I should have told you, I'm sorry." Ana said, smiling sheepishly.
"Well, I am glad you did." Mel said, hugging her and giving her a quick kiss. "Come in and meet Thana." Mel took Ana by the hand and led her toward the blonde woman standing next to Hedy.
"Anahita Sohrab, this is Thana, another new initiate like me. Ana is my girlfriend." Mel said, giving Ana's hand a squeeze before letting it go so she could offer it to Thana.
"Pleased to meet you, Thana." Ana said.
"And you as well. Mel and I just met but I feel like we are old friends. It must be the power of the circle." Thana replied, giving Mel a broad smile and a wink.
"Mel makes everyone feel at ease." Hedy chimed in, feeling awkward among the trio. There was something almost crackling between them all, some kind of energy and it wasn't pleasant.
"Would you like some tea, Thana? What about you, Ana?" Mel said, hustling over to the counter.
"No, Hedy and I just had some soup. I am fine." Ana replied, her smile now gone from her face. She clearly didn't want to spend her evening with Mel and someone else.
"It is tempting, Mel, but I should probably go. I need to drive back to Ravensdale. We'll catch up this week though, yes? Helen assigned us some homework." Thana said, tossing her hair over her shoulder and giving the group a broad smile.
"Sounds good, Thana. I'll see you in a couple of days." Mel came back around toward the group and Hedy watched as Thana leaned forward and gave Mel a hug. Ana's face was inscrutable.
The witches began filing out of the house, saying their farewells and heading out into the raw and windy night. Thana was the last to go, waiving shyly to the trio as Hedy closed the door behind her.
"Thana seems nice, huh?" Mel said, looking at both Hedy and Ana.
"Yes, she does." Hedy responded simply. She wasn't about to comment on the tension that had been so obvious in the bakery.
"Mel, we still have some of our evening left, did you want to watch a movie or go out? It's not too late." Ana said, changing the subject.
"I'm tired but we can hang out at my house and watch movies, if that is okay with you." Mel replied, her voice sounding hopeful. Ana nodded. In a few moments, the pair had gathered Mel's things and left the house hand in hand. Hedy closed the door behind them.
"Adelaide says we need to be alert. Something isn't right." Zelda said from the comfort of her chair.
"What does that mean, Zelda? What is she warning us about?" Hedy watched the unblinking eyes of the cat, trying to read any expression.
"All she said is someone has come into this house that will bring danger to us. Someone trusted. She said to watch out." Zelda replied, concluding with a lick to her paw.
"As usual, Adelaide's helpful hints aren't so helpful. Even with you interpreting for her, she is just as cryptic as ever. I suppose she is doing the best she can." Hedy said, feeling a shudder of cold blow against her neck. Adelaide must be in the entry, listening.
"Be grateful for the warning, Hedy. Most ghosts don't trifle in human affairs. Adelaide cares about this house and its occupants. Gratitude goes along way." Zelda snipped, in a tone that dripped disapproval. Humans could be so thoughtless, she clucked to herself.
Chapter Nine
Leif Haugrsson found himself in Enumclaw, which seemed about as far from Brussels as one could go. It was a rural town, and he had to admit the view of the nearby mountain was impressive, but to someone used to the cosmopolitan life, it was far too provincial for his tastes. The fact that he had even come at all was rather remarkable; to be honest, he had twice told his assistant to notify this Miss Leckermaul that he was not coming after all. And twice he had rescinded the order before she could do so. Closing a waystation was a significant act and he wanted to show the owner that it hadn't been done lightly. While this visit was a huge inconvenience, it also demonstrated his commitment to the ideals of the Concierge. His assistant had been instructed to subtly hint to other assistants for high ranking members exactly how dedicated Leif Haugrsson was to the cause.
The waystation was easy enough to find, once he had found his way into town. He had hired a limousine to drive him from Sea-Tac airport, and the chauffeur hadn't even raised an eyebrow at the distance. That was the benefit of paying top dollar - no questions. The long black town car pulled up to the curb in front of the Victorian house and he found himself on the front porch of the persistent woman that he was going to turn down.
"Hedy, there is someone on the porch. He came in a limousine." Maurice said, from the comfort of the cushion in the front window seat. Even feeling poorly, Maurice seemed impressed by the visitor's style.
"It must be the Director. I am glad he made it so promptly." Hedy said, wiping her hands on her apron and instinctively patting her beehive hairdo to make sure it still felt styled. She had on a polka dot dress of purple, pink and red, with bright red ankle boots and purple tights. She quickly slipped out of the apron and hustled toward the entry.
"Hello," she said, opening the door widely with a broad smile. She caught the faint look of surprise on the face of the man, but he had the good grace to mask it well.
"Miss Leckermaul? I am Director Leif Haugrsson. I believe you were
expecting me." The man said, giving a very slight bow. He removed his pork pie style hat to reveal blonde hair that was almost translucent. His face, unlike Raluca's, had no wrinkles, but it wasn't the face of a young man. Nothing about the tall, slim man helped her know his age.
"Please, do come in. Let me take that bag." She gestured for him to enter and reached for the surprising small valise that he carried. He apparently had no plans to stay long. She hoped that wasn't a sign that he had his mind made up.
"Thank you. The weather is rather damp and raw out here." He said, stating the obvious. The wind was blowing the rain almost sideways under the porch roof.
"Yes, that is February in Washington, I am afraid. Let's get you something hot to drink." She shut the door behind her guest, taking his heavy wool coat and hat for the coat rack. She watched him scrutinizing her collection in the entry.
"I see you are quite the collector. I believe I read the notes in your file about that. An interesting, albeit expensive, hobby. You seem to have a penchant for the macabre, Miss Leckermaul." He walked toward the stuffed raven perched under glass on one of the shelves, lightly running his finger along the glass as if checking for dust.
"Yes, I do tend to have eclectic taste. I would be pleased to show you some of the more unusual pieces if you are interested, Director Haugrrson. And please, call me Hedy." She said as he picked up the wooden Pied Piper flute and turned it over lightly in his hands.
"Ah, Heinrich. I haven't thought of him in years. He always wore those ridiculous multi-colored clothes." The Director said, glancing at Hedy as he said it. "No offense to your attire, Madam. It was a different time in the thirteen century."
"Are you saying you knew the Pied Piper of Hamelin?" Hedy asked, incredulous.
"Ja. When you are as old as I am, you meet a few people. Amazing that you happened upon the flute. Heinrich was a strange man but an excellent musician. Very strange habits, indeed. Even for those days." He set the flute down and turned toward Hedy.
"My apologies for my shock, it is just that from what Raluca said, I thought her trainee was younger." She watched him bristle and she wondered if "trainee" had been the wrong word.
"Miss Vaduva had been with the Concierge much longer than myself but I have walked the earth before she was a twinkle in her Strigoi Father's eye, as it were. You would be hard pressed to find someone older than myself, inside or outside the Concierge." He sniffed lightly and then picked up the dark box that Michael had given her. He carefully slid back the lid, exposing the red silk interior and the small bottle.
"Well, my apologies to you if I implied any disrespect. I had never met a Moroi before Raluca and now I have met two." Hedy said as he snapped the lid back sharply.
"Do not count me in your headcount. Raluca was under the impression that I was also a Moroi and it was useful to me that she think so, but I am more of a distant cousin. I doubt you've heard of my kind; few have. I am a Draugr. Similar enough to the ways of a Moroi but there are some differences." He did not elaborate and Hedy did not ask. Things seemed to be getting off on the wrong foot with the Director.
"I stand corrected, Director. Would you care to have some hot tea, coffee or something else, perhaps?" Hedy wondered if offering "something else" was a good idea to a Draugr. She had no idea what they ingested.
"It has been a long trip from Brussels. I don't suppose you have any Macallan twelve year scotch about?"
"No, but I have some Johnnie Walker. Will that do?" Hedy said, sure she had failed another test.
"That will suffice. Lead the way." The Director said, placing the dark box back on the table. He followed Hedy into the bakery, spying immediately the aged chinchilla watching him from the window seat. What a peculiar pet, he thought.
"Please make yourself comfortable. I will get you the scotch and perhaps you'd care for something to eat?" She waved towards the case, but he shook his head.
"Draugrs do not eat. One of the differences from our Moroi cousins. Liquor is the only liquid I consume." He looked at the rows of cookies and cupcakes stacked up in the case and marveled at them. He remembered when sugar came into fad when the Crusaders brought it back to their European lands in the middle ages. The "sweet salt" had been a human weakness ever since.
"Well, I am fond of sweets so I wouldn't last very long as a Draugr, that's for sure." Hedy said, attempting to lighten the discussion. Her companion did not laugh back.
"No, I suspect you would not," was his dry reply.
Hedy poured a large glass of scotch for the Director and brought it over to the table he had chosen - the same one that Raluca had used during her visit. She wondered briefly if he sensed that somehow.
"Here you are. Thank you, Director, for coming all this way to discuss the status of my waystation. It means a great deal to me that you traveled here. I am very grateful." Hedy meant what she said, though she hoped the Director would also appreciate the sentiment. With a nod of his head, he seemed to.
"I wanted to ensure that you knew that we take such action only after serious and careful consideration. Yours is the first such case in my years with the Concierge. It is not something we undertake lightly." Haugrrson said, pausing to sip on his scotch.
"Then I trust you will let me provide my side of the story and to explain why closure is not warranted, nor indeed what Miss Vaduva would have wanted, if I may speak for her." Hedy said, wanting to bring Raluca into the conversation.
"There is no need to speak on Miss Vaduva's behalf - she speaks for herself, in the report she left. She was recommending your closure." There was no way to sugar coat it and he wouldn't have done so in any case. Direct was better.
Hedy paused, taking a moment to process the news. “Perhaps we should resume this conversation after you have had a chance to rest from your journey.” Hedy wanted time herself.
“I put great stock in the words of my predecessor.”
"I believe that was written before the events that led unfortunately to her death. I am certain she would have made a change to her recommendation based on what transpired...at the end." Hedy said, avoiding saying 'her death'.
"What makes you think that? The fact that her involvement in events here directly led to her death argues against you."
Hedy paused again, unable to refute that fact. Raluca would be alive today if she had never come to the waystation. She felt her frustration rising; the conversation was not going her way.
"Director. Raluca gave her life to save children who were in danger and to stop a goddess bent on destruction. She gave her life protecting others. My waystation has been the target of Lyssa, of whom I am sure you are familiar. She has her own reasons but she came to Enumclaw, she said, to reap rage and madness. Without the aid of supernaturals, like Raluca, like Bren Aldebrand, like Anahita Sohrab, she would have succeeded. Without this waystation, there would have been no line of defense. Not only does this waystation protect supernatural travelers - as is its mandate - but it protects this community. It is too important to close down." Hedy finished, not sure what else there was to say. The Director's face was unmoved.
"While I understand the benefit this gives to your town, Miss Leckermaul, you must understand that the mundane world is not our concern. The safety of our travelers is paramount. We have to know that when a traveler comes here, they will be safe in your care. That is the only thing that we must judge." The Director rose from his seat, having finished the last of his scotch. "But what you have said is important and it would not be fair of me if I did not consider all sides. This I will do. If you have a room where I might retire to rest and reflect, I would be grateful. I understand Mr. Aldebrand is still in residence, yes? It would make sense for me to speak with him as well since he was a participant in the first events last fall."
Hedy's relief washed over her face; she was so glad that she still had a chance to convince him. "Of course, Director Haugrsson. Let me show you to a guest room. Whatever I can do to help provide answers to your questions or concerns, please
let me know." Hedy gestured for him to follow her and she led the way to the bramble gate at the end of the entryway, opening the staircase to the rooms upstairs.
"Mind you, Miss Leckermaul, I make no promises to change the decision of the Concierge in this matter but I am willing to take it all under advisement. It is the best that I can do." The Director said as she opened a room for him and he paused in the doorway. Nothing on his face gave any indication that his mind might change but Hedy had to hope for it.
"It is all I can ask for, Director. I would ask a fair review, with a chance for those who participated, such as Bren and Anahita, to provide answers to your questions. In over seven years, there has never been one incident of harm to any traveler. Please consider that as well."
"I shall, Miss Leckermaul. I shall also consider that in four months, one of your guests almost died and another one did. I cannot forget that. Neither should you." With that, he closed the door of the room.
✽✽✽
"My apologies for the interruption. There is something of interest, Monsieur Constant. There has been someone looking for Louis Magnon." The assistant hesitated to disturb the Master in his study, but this was news he would want. Seconds went by with no response and he wondered if he should repeat himself. The Master was, after all, quite aged. Perhaps he hadn't heard him.
"Phillipe, surely there is more to be said since you chose to interrupt my studies. Who is looking for Magnon?" The Master responded without looking up from his vellum.
"One of our friends received a telephone call from someone named Michael Syon. He is looking into why Louis Magnon fled New Orleans." The Assistant wondered if he had made a terrible mistake; the Master's face looked angry but he couldn't tell where it was directed.
"Michael Syon. I know of him. An Imp, if memory serves. Why would an Imp be inquiring after Magnon?" The Master said, but the Assistant knew the question was rhetorical. The Master would not ask him such questions.
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